Question 1

Convergence and retinal disparity are similar in that both are monocular depth cues.

Accepted Answer

Convergence is a binocular depth cue, involving the inward movement of the eyes when focusing on nearby objects, while retinal disparity is also a binocular cue, based on the slightly different images each eye perceives due to their horizontal separation. Monocular cues, on the other hand, can be perceived with just one eye.

Question 2

A person will be able to recognize people of other races better if the person is in a positive mood rather than a negative mood.

Accepted Answer

Positive moods can increase cognitive flexibility and the ability to process information more inclusively, which can improve the recognition of individuals from other races by reducing the reliance on race-based generalizations.

Question 3

Figure-ground organization is probably inborn, because it is the first perceptual ability to appear after cataract patients regain their sight.

Accepted Answer

Figure-ground organization is a perceptual ability that allows us to distinguish between an object and its background. It is one of the first perceptual abilities to develop in infants, and it is also the first perceptual ability to reappear after cataract patients regain their sight. This suggests that figure-ground organization is probably inborn.

Question 4

When people lose an arm, they may at first have a phantom arm and hand, while many years later, the phantom may shrink, until only a hand is felt at the shoulder.

Accepted Answer

This phenomenon is known as "telescoping" in the context of phantom limb sensations, where over time, individuals may perceive their phantom limb as gradually shortening or retracting closer to the body, eventually feeling as if the limb (e.g., hand) is located near or at the shoulder.

Question 5

The apparent (or relative)brightness of two objects will remain the same as long as both objects are illuminated by the same amount of light.

Accepted Answer

The apparent brightness of two objects will remain the same as long as both objects are illuminated by the same amount of light because the amount of light that reaches our eyes from each object is the same.

Question 6

In one study on perceptual expectancies, participants were given a taste of a "$90 wine" and a "$10 wine," and they reported that the more expensive one tasted better, even though the same wine was served both times.

Accepted Answer

This phenomenon is due to the power of expectation, where the perceived value of the wine (influenced by its price) affects the participants' taste experience, making them believe the more expensive wine tastes better even though the same wine was served.

Question 7

According to Maslow, people who perceive their world more accurately than others tend to be characterized by immersion in the present and a lack of self-consciousness.

Accepted Answer

Maslow's theory suggests that individuals who are self-actualized, or have reached the highest level of psychological development, often perceive the world more accurately and are characterized by living in the present and having a reduced sense of self-consciousness. This is part of his broader theory on the hierarchy of needs, where self-actualization sits at the top.

Question 8

Pinching your leg while you receive an injection will lessen the pain of the injection due to counterirritation.

Accepted Answer

Pinching your leg or applying another form of pressure or sensation can indeed lessen the pain of an injection due to the principle of counterirritation. This method distracts the nervous system, reducing the perception of pain from the injection.

Question 9

Pain messages are carried by small nerve fibers in the warning system and by large nerve fibers in the reminding system.

Accepted Answer

Pain messages are carried to the brain by both small and large nerve fibers, but they don't specifically divide into a "warning system" and a "reminding system" based on their size. Small fibers typically carry sharp, immediate pain, while large fibers can carry information about touch and pressure, and can modulate pain signals, not necessarily serving as a "reminding system."

Question 10

Good advice to help a person to minimize motion sickness would be to move one's head as little as possible and fixate on a distant immobile object.

Accepted Answer

Minimizing head movements and focusing on a distant, stationary object can help reduce the sensory conflict between the visual and vestibular systems, which is a common cause of motion sickness.

Question 11

Interposition occurs when smog, fog, dust, or haze make distant objects appear hazy, washed out in color, and lacking in detail.

Accepted Answer

Interposition, also known as overlap, is a visual cue in which one object partially covers another, indicating that the former is closer to the viewer. The phenomenon described in the question relates to atmospheric perspective, not interposition.

Question 12

You perfectly time the movement of your visible hand "knocking" on your head, while your hidden hand knocks on the table. The perception of the "knocking" sound coming from your head illustrates the Gestalt principle of contiguity.

Accepted Answer

The Gestalt principle of contiguity states that elements that are close together in space or time are perceived as belonging together. In this case, the sound of the knocking on the table is perceived as coming from the head because it is close in time to the movement of the visible hand knocking on the head.

Question 13

The novice chef who discovers how to tell the difference between dried basil, oregano, and tarragon is exhibiting sensory assimilation.

Accepted Answer

The novice chef is exhibiting sensory discrimination, which involves distinguishing between different sensory inputs, such as flavors or smells, not sensory assimilation.

Question 14

With regard to eyewitness testimony, a victim's testimony is usually more accurate than individuals who just observed the event occurring.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that a victim's testimony can be influenced by the stress and trauma of the event, potentially affecting their recall accuracy compared to neutral observers.

Question 15

The Necker's cube and the Rorschach inkblots are both good examples of impossible figures.

Accepted Answer

The Necker Cube is an example of an ambiguous figure that can be perceived in multiple ways, but it is not an impossible figure. The Rorschach inkblots are used for psychological testing and do not represent impossible figures either.

Question 16

Research has shown that depth perception begins to develop as early as two weeks of age but is not complete until about six months.

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that infants start to develop depth perception within the first few weeks of life, but it takes several months for this ability to fully mature, typically around six months of age.

Question 17

An eyewitness's confidence is a good predictor that the testimony will be accurate.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that there is not a strong correlation between an eyewitness's confidence and the accuracy of their testimony. Factors such as stress, the presence of a weapon, and suggestive questioning can affect memory and confidence without necessarily improving accuracy.

Question 18

With regard to gustation, we are most sensitive to sweet tastes and least sensitive to bitter ones.

Accepted Answer

Humans are most sensitive to bitter tastes as a protective mechanism against consuming potentially toxic substances, and less sensitive to sweet tastes, which often indicate energy-rich foods.

Question 19

Individuals who have Charles Bonnet syndrome are mentally disturbed and lack the ability to engage in reality testing.

Accepted Answer

Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) is characterized by visual hallucinations in individuals who are otherwise mentally healthy, often occurring in those with significant vision loss. It does not imply a lack of reality testing or mental disturbance beyond the visual hallucinations.

Question 20

The San bushmen, who live in a "round" culture, experience the Müller-Lyer illusion in exactly the same way as Americans, who live in a "square" culture, experience it.

Accepted Answer

The San bushmen, living in a "round" culture with less exposure to carpentered corners and straight lines, are less susceptible to the Müller-Lyer illusion compared to Americans, who live in a "square" culture filled with man-made environments that reinforce the illusion's effect.

Quiz 4: Sensation and Perception